West Nile virus cases and deaths reported in North Carolina and Illinois

West Nile virus cases and deaths have been reported in both North Carolina and Illinois. In North Carolina, a resident in Forsyth County has tested positive for the virus, following earlier detections in mosquitoes within Forsyth, Cabarrus, and Mecklenburg counties.

In Illinois, health officials confirmed the death of an 86-year-old man in Shelby County. As of late September, the Illinois Department of Public Health has recorded 50 human cases and three deaths statewide, with the virus detected in mosquitoes across 59 counties.

Health officials emphasize that while many infections are asymptomatic, older adults and individuals with weakened immune systems face a higher risk of severe neurological illness. Recommended prevention measures include using insect repellent and eliminating standing water where mosquitoes breed.